Yes. Since 2016, Illinois has been a pure no-fault state (750 ILCS 5/401). The only ground for divorce is irreconcilable differences — that the marriage has broken down and cannot be repaired. You do not need to prove adultery, cruelty, or any other wrongdoing. If you and your spouse have lived separate and apart for six months, the law presumes the marriage is irretrievably broken.
Chicago Divorce Lawyers
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Child support
For many mothers, getting child support established during a divorce or separation is important for maintaining stability in the home.
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Custody, visitation & parental responsibilities
When mothers file for divorce, child custody issues are a top concern. Our lawyers focus on and advocate for mothers’ rights.
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Divorce
Most people are unfamiliar with the divorce process. We will help you create & execute a plan to manage the difficulties that come with ending a marriage.
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Family Law
The Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group has years of experience guiding women and mothers through the complexities of the legal system.
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High Net Worth
It is important for couples with high net worth to understand how aspects of divorce may impact them differently than other divorcing spouses with a more simplified asset portfolio.
Chicago Divorce Lawyers for Women
Reviewed by Joshua P. Haid, Managing Partner
Maybe you have known for a long time that this was coming. Maybe it blindsided you. Either way, the questions are the same, and they follow you into the quiet hours: What happens to my children? Can I keep our home? How will I support myself? And underneath all of it — will I be okay? If these are the questions keeping you awake, you are already carrying more than anyone should have to carry alone.
A divorce in Illinois legally ends a marriage and resolves everything tied to it — how property and debt are divided, how your children are cared for, and what financial support looks like afterward. Illinois is a no-fault state under 750 ILCS 5/401, so you do not have to prove your spouse did anything wrong; you only have to show the marriage cannot be repaired. But no-fault does not mean simple, and fair does not happen on its own. The decisions made in your divorce will shape your life, and your children’s lives, for years.
For women and mothers, the stakes can feel higher and the ground less level — and that is the exact reason this firm exists. The Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group by Haid and Teich LLP was the first law firm in the Chicagoland area built around women’s and mothers’ rights. We have been recognized as Super Lawyers every year from 2016 through 2025, named a Top 10 family law firm by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, and featured in O, The Oprah Magazine and ELLE. More than any award, though, what defines us is who we stand for: you.
You do not have to face this alone. Talk with a Chicago divorce lawyer who represents women, in a free and confidential consultation — call 312-445-8830.
What is really at stake in your divorce?
Every divorce comes down to a few things that matter most: your children, your home and finances, and your ability to begin the next chapter on solid ground. For women, each of these can carry an added weight.
If you stepped back from your career to raise your children, you may worry that the years you gave to your family will somehow count against you now. If your spouse controlled the money, you may not even know the full picture of what you own and what you owe. If you are the one ending the marriage, you may be bracing for judgment that men in the same position rarely face. And if your spouse earns more, you may fear being outspent and worn down before a fair resolution is ever reached.
These fears are real, and they are common — and they are exactly what we are here to answer. Our work is to level the ground: to make sure you understand your rights, that the full financial picture comes to light, and that your voice carries the same weight as your spouse’s, whether your case is resolved at the negotiating table or in a courtroom.
How does divorce work in Illinois?
Illinois divorce follows a defined path. One spouse files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage; the law requires that you or your spouse have lived in Illinois for at least 90 days (750 ILCS 5/401). Both spouses then exchange full financial disclosure. From there, you resolve the core issues — the division of marital property and debt, decision-making and parenting time for your children, child support, and spousal maintenance — either by agreement or, when necessary, at trial. Most divorces settle, but a strong settlement depends on being fully prepared to go to court if you have to.
What is a wife entitled to in an Illinois divorce?
Illinois law is written in gender-neutral terms, but the protections it provides matter enormously to women. You are entitled to an equitable share of the marital estate under 750 ILCS 5/503 — a fair division, though not always an equal one, of what was acquired during the marriage, including the home, accounts, and a business, regardless of whose name is on them. You may be entitled to spousal maintenance under 750 ILCS 5/504, particularly if you earn less or paused a career for your family. And as a mother, you are entitled to seek parenting time and decision-making responsibility based on your children’s best interests. What you are entitled to depends on your specific circumstances — which is exactly what a consultation is for.
How we protect what matters most to you
From your first call, our focus is on the three things you cannot afford to get wrong: your children, your financial security, and your peace of mind. We begin by listening — really listening — to understand your situation and what you want your life to look like on the other side. We bring the full financial picture into the light, using formal discovery when a spouse is hiding assets or income. We build a strategy around your goals, whether that means keeping the family home, securing maintenance, or protecting your role in your children’s daily lives. And we carry the weight of the process, so you can hold your family together while we hold the line for you. Our senior attorneys stay close to your case — you will not be handed off and forgotten.
Related: Child Custody & Parental Responsibilities · Child Support · Spousal Support · High Net Worth Divorce
Your future, and your children’s, deserve lawyers who represent women every day. Reach out for a free, confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Illinois a community property state?
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No. Illinois is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state. Under 750 ILCS 5/503, marital property is divided fairly, which is not necessarily 50/50. Courts weigh factors including each spouse’s contributions to the marriage, its length, and each person’s economic circumstances. Property you owned before the marriage, or received by gift or inheritance, is generally non-marital and remains yours.
- How is marital property divided in an Illinois divorce?
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Illinois divides marital property — most of what was acquired during the marriage — by equitable distribution under 750 ILCS 5/503. “Equitable” means fair, not automatically equal. The court considers each spouse’s contributions, including as a homemaker, the length of the marriage, and each person’s financial situation and needs. Non-marital property, such as premarital assets or an inheritance, is generally awarded to the spouse who owns it.
- What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in Illinois?
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Illinois law is gender-neutral, but its protections matter greatly to women. A wife is entitled to an equitable share of the marital estate under 750 ILCS 5/503, may be entitled to spousal maintenance under 750 ILCS 5/504 (especially after a longer marriage or a paused career), and, as a mother, may seek parenting time and decision-making based on the children’s best interests. The specifics depend on your circumstances, income, and the length of your marriage.
- How much does a divorce cost in Illinois?
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It varies widely with how contested the case is. An uncontested divorce, where both spouses agree on all issues, can cost a few thousand dollars. A contested divorce involving disputes over property, support, or children costs more, because it takes more attorney time. The single biggest cost driver is conflict — the more that can be resolved by agreement, the lower the cost. We discuss fees openly at your consultation.
- How long does a divorce take in Illinois?
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An uncontested Illinois divorce can be finalized in as little as a few months. A contested divorce typically takes closer to a year, and complex cases can take longer. The timeline depends on how many issues are disputed, the court’s schedule, and whether children and significant assets are involved. Reaching agreement on even some issues can shorten the process considerably.
- How do I file for divorce in Illinois?
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You or your spouse must have lived in Illinois for at least 90 days. The process begins by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in the circuit court of the county where you live, then having your spouse served. From there, both sides exchange financial information and work toward resolving property, support, and parenting issues. Because the early steps shape the entire case, it is worth speaking with an attorney before you file.
- Who gets the house in a divorce in Illinois?
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It depends on the full financial picture. The marital home is one of the assets divided under equitable distribution (750 ILCS 5/503). One spouse may keep the home by buying out the other’s share or offsetting it with other assets, or the home may be sold and the proceeds divided. When children are involved, keeping them in the family home is often a priority the court will weigh.
- Does it matter which spouse files for divorce first?
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Legally, the spouse who files first gets no automatic advantage in how property, support, or parenting are decided — Illinois is no-fault, and outcomes turn on the facts and the law, not on who filed. There can be practical reasons to file first in some situations, and reasons not to. It is worth discussing your specific circumstances with an attorney before deciding.
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